Chapter 44
The room was bigger than I imagined, housing two full-size beds in either corner. A set of double doors with emerald glass led to a modest-sized balcony overlooking the courtyard below. I glanced toward the wardrobe. My bag was settled neatly on the floor, next to a large chest with copper buckles.
My brow scrunched, wondering if someone else’s belongings had been delivered to my room by mistake.
Or if it were meant for my eventual roommate.
Would we be here long enough for me to have a roommate?
Unease churned in my gut at the thought of sleeping next to a stranger.
But I supposed this was the type of thing I’d have to get used to.
Especially if Laryk decided to bring me everywhere with him like his useless, little pet.
My eyes dared an exhausted roll as I tried to swallow my brewing annoyance. I sank into the bed, ripping the sheets around me.
A knock on the door had my eyes shooting open. I rubbed my forehead and glanced toward the balcony. It was still bright outside. I must have only dozed off for a few hours.
“Initiate Riftborne, it’s time for meal service. Can I escort you to the dining hall?” I heard a timid voice from the other side.
My stomach rumbled at the thought of food.
I slipped my boots on and opened the door to find a friendly face staring back at me.
He was a smaller boy with freckles. Hair cut so short that I couldn’t make out whether it was blonde or brown.
He was a recruit based on his uniform. A shy smile grew on his face. “Follow me?” he asked, voice cracking.
I glanced down at his shirt to see Gerath Riftborne sprawled across the front. My eyes flew down to see the marking on his left hand.
“Another Riftborne. Well, I certainly wasn’t expecting that,” I said, smiling.
“There are a few of us in the recruitment class, actually,” he whispered, looking around. “All of us Riftborne know about you. How you joined the Guard and ended up in the General’s special faction…” he trailed off. “It gave us all hope.”
Gerath’s words hit me like a wave. I never imagined I would be… an inspiration to anyone, let alone another Riftborne on the opposite side of the isle.
“I don’t know what to say.” I shook my head, a faint smile playing at my lips, before my thoughts twisted. “And you all have been treated well?” I asked, arching an eyebrow.
“As good as one can hope. People seem to be coming around to it. Plus, the Guard is in no position to deny new recruits.” He shrugged.
“I suppose so,” I murmured, looking down the corridor. “I’m very happy to meet you, Gareth.”
“Likewise. Should we get to the dining hall before all the good stuff is cleared out?” he asked, the giant smile returning to his face.
“I’m following you.” I grinned and allowed him to lead the way.
The hall was massive and ornately decorated with a domed ceiling.
Long platforms of buffets lined the furthest wall, and hundreds of tables were scattered throughout the space.
I followed Gareth and grabbed a plate. My mouth watered upon seeing the food selections.
They were endless. If the Guard appreciated one thing above all else, it was good food.
We both filled our plates with cured meats, cheeses and bread before he showed me to an open table.
I sat down, excited to gorge myself.
“If you need help getting back to your room after lunch, come find me. I’ll be at the recruits’ table,” he said quietly.
“You’re not going to sit with me?” I asked, twisting in my seat. Don’t leave me alone , I wanted to say.
“Recruits can’t sit with initiates.” He sighed, pointing towards a long table in the back. “We sit there.”
A wave of disappointment washed over me.
“Thanks, Gareth. I’ll come find you if I need help.” I gave him a reassuring smile before turning back to my food. I took a bite of bread, and it immediately tasted stale, my appetite gone.
My eyes wandered up to the front of the room, to an elevated area with grand tables.
A few lieutenants were seated. My eyes narrowed when I saw Laryk in what seemed to be a deep conversation.
I leaned to the side, trying to get a view of who he was speaking with, only to see another wisp of blood-red hair.
Their faces were basically touching.
For the first time in months, I felt my fingers tingle with a power I didn’t summon myself.
Suddenly, in the corner of my eye I saw a shadow move behind the buffet. I spun around, sending my hair flying, only to find nothing out of the ordinary. I was losing my mind. Or I was just on edge being this far West.
I looked back at Laryk, who glanced over, briefly making eye contact with me. He gave me a slight nod and turned back to Narissa .
My stomach lurched as I stood, stomping over to the waste basket and throwing my plate away. I swiped a bottle of gin from the liquor table and stormed to the other side of the room. I flung the door open and bounded down the corridor back to my quarters.
I found my bed once again and dropped my face into my hands. I didn’t want to feel like this. It was a maddening, nearly manic rush of adrenaline. My fingers were throbbing, my vision blurry. Darkness clung to every thought.
He brought me here against my will and never deemed it necessary to tell me why.
And briefings were off limits. My insides were screaming.
I was stuck here, rendered absolutely useless instead of preparing for the battle at Stormshire with the rest of team V.
I was starting to feel less like a member of an elite faction and more like someone's burden.
And he was with her .
Is that why I wasn’t allowed to be with him?
Hours passed as my thoughts raced.
Anger simmered.
Boredom crept in.
I glanced at the corner of my chamber, eyeing the bottle of gin I had snatched earlier today. Without too much thought, I poured myself a drink, immediately downing it. And then I poured another.
I paced the room until the sun began its descent behind the mountain range.
My sanity was going to explode if I didn’t leave this room, but I didn’t know where to go.
Where I was allowed to go.
Soon enough, night had fallen over the city, and I began to hear rumblings of people below. I walked over to the balcony, opening the door and peeking out.
The entire regiment stood just beyond, making a commotion with their laughter and shouts, like they’d already had one too many. This place sure was a stark contrast to the city below.
I pursed my lips, perhaps a party was exactly what I needed to blow off some steam.
Besides, if he was going to continue to act like I didn’t exist…
Well, perhaps I’d find a worthy distraction.
I couldn’t help the grin spreading on my face as I pulled myself together. The anger from earlier had twisted into something more wicked.
I looked in the mirror at my initiate's uniform, turning to the side to examine it from all angles. I wasn’t used to having a full view of myself. I unbuttoned my vest, flinging it on the bed, and reached up to undo a few of the buttons on the top of my blouse, so it fell open just enough.
I tugged the leather strap from my hair and ran my fingers through the waves, allowing them to cascade freely down my back in wild layers.
A bit of harmless flirting could be just what I needed to divert my thoughts. With that, I grabbed the door and headed for the stairwell, but not before grabbing one of Ma’s vials and sliding it into my pocket.
I navigated through the courtyard. The night sky twinkled above, and I felt a chill as the breeze picked up. It seemed like sleep was a foreign concept to this group, with everyone strolling around, passing bottles, and belting out old hymns that were much better lost to time.
The crowd was made up almost entirely of Base Guards. Most of the other sectors were probably headed straight for Stormshire. Only a few high-ranking officials from the Scales, Fang and Immunity units were in attendance.
The courtyard was scattered with twinkling tables and buffets of food.
The imposing walls around us were lit with torches, creating a false atmosphere of safety, like no threat existed beyond the confines of these hills, yet every shadow sparked apprehension in the back of my mind.
Another drink and I could forget that too.
My gaze scanned the party, searching for the bar. Instead, I locked eyes with a grinning dark-haired guardsman who motioned for me to join him.
That was easy.
A smile crept up my lips as I started towards him.